My eyes drift from Noelle to her father. I can understand that she’s upset, but I also understand his position.
She must see me because she turns and her eyes meet mine. I see the anger directed at her father there. My feet carry me towards her.
Her father also looks at me. “Ah, Mr. Christmas.” I nod at him. He looks from me to Noelle. “This conversation never changes, Noelle. I’ve told you numerous times that if you find yourself in a bind, you just need to call me. I’ll give you whatever you need.”
She smirks and rolls her eyes. “No, thank you. I’ll raise the funds we need, just like I always have. I don’t need or want your money. I will never take money from you. Not even to help those you screw. There’s a thing called principle.”
He sighs again and I can see the sadness in his eyes as he looks at her. “The offer is always there, Noelle.” He turns toward the door and Nick opens it for him. Before he walks through, he asks one more thing. “Will you and your sister be home for Christmas this year? Your mother would really like it if you were.”
Her mouth tightens. “Probably not, but we’ll see Momma. We always do.”
He shakes his head and walks out. Nick locks the door behind him.
Noelle looks at me and frowns. “I’m sorry you had to see that. I don’t agree with my father’s business practices.”
I nod. “Yeah, I got that.”
She sighs, “You seem to disagree with me on that.”
Shaking my head, I walk back to her office as she follows. “It’s not my place to have an opinion on it, Noelle.”
She says nothing but her silence shows that she’s not happy with my refusal to back her up.
It has nothing to do with me…
Two weeks later
I’ve been at the shelter practically every single day for the past two weeks. Brad and I spent Thanksgiving here and it was a very different experience than I’ve ever had. To spend a holiday with those who basically have nothing but the love of their family is vastly different from spending a normal holiday with the crazy people in your lives. They seem to appreciate things so much more. It was a real eye opener to witness.
I’m also finding that Christmas isn’t annoying me quite as much this year. Maybe it has to do with being here, at the shelter, and watching those who are struggling lose themselves in the simple joy of the season. Until you’ve witnessed those who have absolutely nothing to lose give all they can to share the meaning of the holidays with others, you haven’t really experienced Christmas.
Maybe it’s the fact that Noelle is working herself and everyone else so hard to provide for those who find themselves under her care. It’s selfless.
It’s the true spirit of the season. The spirit of Christmas.
I’ve apparently never experienced Christmas.
How can I hate something that I’ve never actually experienced before?
Chapter Ten
Noelle
“Becky, I need the finalized lineup for the acts. There are eighteen, right?” I’m screaming with my hand covering the mouthpiece of the phone as I wait for the printer to come back on the line.
She pops her head into my office and waves a stack of papers at me. “Yes, there are eighteen of them, including the bands. I’m working on it now. I’ll be done in like twenty minutes as long as you stop yelling at me and interrupting me.”
I sigh and mumble at her. “Ok, sorry. I just want it all in order.” Just then the printer comes back to the phone and tells me that the tickets for food will be ready by 3PM and be able to be picked up.”
Christmas carols are piping through the speakers throughout the building and I find myself humming along with Hark the Herald Angels Sing as I move pins for vendors around the board on my wall.
Mason and Brad are also scurrying around to shoot the last of the five human interest pieces they’re doing. The past week, they shot candid video of me as I worked as well as interviewed me, Becky, Joy and a couple of the other volunteers. Mason told me that they’re going to be going out tomorrow to talk to a few of the sponsors and two of the food vendors to have them explain why they are involved with the concert. Friday, they’re heading to the Food Bank to shoot a piece there and show why the non-perishable donations are so important this time of year. Donations are important year-round, but especially around the holidays. The concert is Saturday and the reality of that has me freaking the hell out.
The past few weeks Mason and I have been spending a lot of time together and I’ve really enjoyed all of it. We’ve kissed a few more times, but we haven’t gotten as hot and heavy as that day in my office on my desk. We’ve had dinner and talked a lot. Earlier this week, he even told me why he hates Christmas.
Another crazy day led to another dinner in my office. Joy is such a lifesaver. She’s like a little mother hen. When I forget to stop to eat, she’s always popping in with food, or something to drink so I stay hydrated. And I’m not an idiot. I can clearly see that she’s always pushing for Mason and me to spend more time together.
She’s like a tiny little Christmas matchmaker.
She poked her head in a bit ago and asked me what she could grab for me as far as dinner went before she left for the night.
I told her I didn’t care and she left. Then, five minutes ago, she popped back in with Burgersmith burgers and fries. Two of them, of course.
Now Mason and I are sitting here in my office, eating yet another meal together.
He started singing Jingle Bells along with the radio and I laughed as I teased him. “Are you actually singing a Christmas carol, Mason Christmas?”
He looked shocked and then laughed as he shook his head. “Dammit, you’re rubbing off on me.” I laughed along with him and his face got serious. “Do you know why I hate Christmas, Noelle?”
I shook my head. “How would I know? It’s not like I knew you before this and you’ve never said.”
He smiled wryly and a faraway look came over his face. He sighed and looked at me. “I was engaged once. She was a reporter in Houston. We worked for the same station. We both started out as street reporters.
“She loved Christmas. Our apartment looked like the freaking North Pole threw up in there. Every surface was covered with green, red, gold, or silver. She had three Christmas trees up. In an 800 square foot apartment, she had three damn trees. She listened to Christmas Carols from November 1st through January 3rd.
“We both wanted the anchor chair. I mean that’s the dream in this business. You do your time on the street chasing stories and then one day, you get the chair in the studio and the stories come to you.
“A month before Christmas, she got the promotion. She got the anchor chair. I was happy for her and I knew that my time would come. I started seeing less and less of her. While I was out pitching and tracking down stories, she was snug in the station and being seen at five, six, and ten, five nights a week.
“Little did I know that she was also being seen naked, in our bed, with the news director while I was out pounding the pavement searching for the story that would get me seen.
“Christmas Eve, I came home, dead ass exhausted, from a full day of reporting and found her being pounded from behind by the forty-something news director, wearing only my engagement ring and the expensive Mrs. Claus lingerie I’d bought her for Christmas.”
“I grabbed my jacket and left, but not before breaking half of the Christmas shit and kicking down the Christmas tree in the living room on my way out the door.”
My jaw was practically touching my chest as I vividly pictured the scene he described walking in on.
He raised his beer and tipped it at me before taking a drink. “That combined with the shit I’ve always gotten from my name being Christmas… yeah…”
I’m lost in my own head as I replay the conversation.
I’ve kept Mason at arms bay since then. He’s been hurt and I’m finding that the more time I spend with him, the more I care.
That’s scary.
And you’re too chicken shit to even bring it up!
No way. What if I do and he confirms that he’s not interested in anything other than these few kisses and a little heavy flirting?
I mean, I know he’s interested in sex. He said as much. That day on this very desk made that very obvious, but what happens if I actually have sex with him and all of these feelings I’ve been holding back burst free and then he walks away?
He’s here to get the story. The story is almost over and I have no guarantees that he plans to or even wants to be here after the holidays.
Mason
The concert is in a few short days. After that… I’ll have no obligation to be here. Where does that leave Noelle and me?
I’m a grown ass man and she’s a grown woman. We’re attracted to each other. It’s obvious to everyone, including us. But these past few weeks, I’m feeling the wall she’s erecting between us. I don’t know what it means and I don’t know what to do about it.
I’m sitting at one of the tables in the front of the shelter sipping my cup of coffee, my fourth of the day, as the shelter kids make another garland to hang on the large tree in the corner of the room. The eight-foot tree is covered with handmade decorations and ornaments. It’s a hodgepodge of kiddie crafts and ornaments made with attention to detail by the adults here. Looking at it, I realize it’s probably the most beautiful tree I’ve ever seen.
A friendly voice to my right infiltrates my gazing. “Isn’t it breathtaking? You can practically see the love and joy in it, can’t you?”
Turning my head, I smile at Joy and nod. “It is beautiful.” I sigh. “That’s what a Christmas tree should look like.”
Her smile seems to brighten. “Why Mr. Christmas, you seem to actually be enjoying the season, am I correct?”
A figure catches my attention as she walks out of the hallway and into the large room. The children flock to her to show her their ornaments and she laughs as she squats on the ground to compliment every single one. I find myself smiling as I watch her interact with the kids. “You know, Joy… I think I am. For the first time in a long time, I actually feel like Christmas should be celebrated.”
She laughs and the light in the room seems to glint off her earrings. I blink and squint at the tops of her ears. I swear they just looked pointed for a split second. Shaking my head, I laugh at myself.
Yeah, ok, Mason.
She pats my shoulder and says, “Christmas should always be celebrated, Mason. No matter what, the greatest gift of the season is always love.” She winks and walks away.
Love, huh?!
I thought I had that once and it turned out I was so very wrong.
Yet, now I’m in a completely different kind of relationship and all I want is to celebrate Christmas, and possibly every other holiday, with someone that turns my entire world upside down…
Standing, I cross the room. Noelle watches me approach with a smile on her face. She must read something in my expression because it falters and her mouth opens in an “o”.
Reaching down, I offer her my hand. She carefully places hers in it and I pull her to stand. Smiling at the kids as they turn to show me their handiwork, I nod at them all and tell them how awesome they did before turning to face Noelle. “Can we talk for a minute?”
She nods. “Um, sure. Let’s go into my office. Is everything ok?”
Ignoring her, I lead her down the hall and into her office. She trails behind me.
Once we reach it, I turn back to look into the shelter. Brad is watching me intently with his arm around Becky’s waist. She’s leaning into him with her hand on his chest as she also watches me, with her head cocked to the side. I smile at them both and see the huge grins spread over their faces before gently pushing Noelle into her office and closing the door behind us.
She turns and swallows. “Um, what’s going…”
I stop her with my kiss. Her lips soften under mine and her arms go around my neck as my arms link around her waist and pull her into me. We kiss sweetly, taking our time, our tongues slowly dancing together before retreating.
Finally, she leans back and inhales deeply. Her breath escapes in a whoosh and she shakily asks, “What was that for?”
Leaning down, I look into her eyes with our foreheads lined up together. “Noelle… This is crazy fast and I don’t even know if I believe it’s real… I haven’t had the best of luck with this sort of thing…” I breathe deeply. “Before you, I hated Christmas. You know my reasoning, but I did. I was so pissed when I got this assignment, but I’m not pissed anymore. I’m grateful.
“This assignment introduced me to you. And you… you and this place, this story, you’ve changed my life. I don’t hate Christmas anymore.
“I don’t want to lose this feeling. I don’t want to lose you.
“I don’t want to walk away in a few days and go back to my life. I can’t…
“Noelle, I think I love you.”
She doesn’t say anything after I’m done. She just stares at me with her lip in her mouth. I can see the glisten of tears in her eyes mingling with the fear that’s peeking through.
I mutter. “Shit. Can you say something? Even if it’s that I’m insane and you want me to walk away right now.”
Finally, she nods.
Why the hell is she nodding?
What is she agreeing with?
She smiles and my heart feels like it’s about to leave my chest. “Full disclosure… Don’t walk away. I love you, too, Mason Christmas.”
Are bells ringing right now and why am I hearing a laugh that sounds like every movie of Santa that’s ever been created?
Noelle’s brow furrows as she whispers, “Do you hear that?”
Epilogue
Joy
“I knew that you were just the elf for the job, Joy! Job well done.” Santa chuckles as we watch the concert through the viewing glass in his office at the North Pole.
I beam with pride and happiness as I watch Mason and Noelle embrace at the side of the stage as Brad presses a sweet kiss against Becky’s lips before grabbing his camera to record the last performance of the night, one of the local bands with a good following.
The crowd is massive as everyone in the audience is absconded in the love, joy, and meaning of the holidays. People are singing joyfully as the last notes of Louisiana Christmas Day are sung.
Every Food Bank bin is overflowing and non-perishables are even stacked on the ground in front of them from everyone’s generosity.
Noelle grabs Mason’s hand as she walks onto the stage to thank everyone for coming out to celebrate the season and support Blessings House and the Food Bank. She waves at Becky and Brad to join them. “None of this would have been possible without the support of these people as well as our numerous volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and of course, all of you.” She waves at everyone in the audience and says, “You have shown that Baton Rouge knows what Christmas is about and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Love and blessings to all of y’all and we hope to see you back here next year for Baton Rouge’s newest holiday event!
“On behalf of the Blessings House Homeless Shelter for Women and Children and the Food Bank, I’m honored to tell you that together, we’ve raised $213,000. Those are abundant blessings for sure! Merry Christmas!”
Applause and cheers drown out the sound of her voice but not before we catch Mason lean down and whisper into Noelle’s ear, “I love you, Noelle Holley. Thank you for reintroducing me to Christmas and all that it truly entails.”
Her eyes shine with love and happiness as she pulls his head to hers. “I love you, Mason Christmas and I thank you for the best gift of the season… this and you.”
I turn to Santa as the mirror goes foggy and the picture fades. “Mission: Christmas complete!”
Santa’s
jolly laugh fills the room.
In Skye Turner Style:
Bonus Sexy Scene
Noelle
After the concert
Mason drove me home from the concert after I asked him to accompany me back to my place for the night. My nerves were heightened the entire time. All of the possibilities of what would happen when we got here were running rampant through my head. I’m so surprised I didn’t pass straight out.
Oh, you know what’s going to happen, Noelle!
Exactly what I want to happen. What I’ve been wanting to happen since the moment I turned around and stared at him slack-jawed in the shelter.
I unlock the front door, under the light from the lantern mounted above the doorbell, with him standing behind me. The heat from his body mixes with the fire racing through my veins and I feel like I’m going to burn up.
Finally, the lock clicks and I sigh in relief as it opens. A second to compose myself is all that I need.
Goodness, Noelle. You’re not a blushing virgin.
Mason follows me in and I feel him stop in the threshold. Looking over my shoulder, I can see him squinting to try to see the house in the dark. With a giggle, I cross the foyer and flip on the light in the living room. As the light fills the room, I look around to try to view my home through Mason’s eyes. The nine-foot Evergreen is in the corner near the gas fireplace and even unlit, it’s a beautiful picture. The colorful presents underneath it catch the light and throw it back, making prisms from the metallic wrapping paper. The mantle is draped in fragrant garland and two stockings, one for me and one for Becky, are hanging there. One on either side. A large holly berry wreath is hanging above the mantle. Flameless candles and rustic Christmas knick-knacks are tastefully spaced throughout the room. The couch is also draped with a large red and green tartan throw. It’s simple, yet, gorgeous in my opinion.
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